Today’s Ted’s Tip is a small compilation of acts of kindness that I asked for last week in honor of my 200th tip and in celebration of Style & Simplicity turning 5.

Visiting the elderly at their home, to cooking or baking for your neighbors and delivering the food as a surprise, to paying for the person behind you in line at the coffee shop or grocery store, holding the door open for someone, sitting with someone who is alone, or letting a car in at a busy intersection, to looking someone directly in the eye and using their name, or simply smiling. Just some of many, many thoughtful simple acts of kindness each day that were submitted. If you want to perk up your day look over the list on Instagram or FB or right here in the comments section. It will warm your heart and make your day. Cheers to daily acts of kindness!

I have drawn the 5 winners. Look for a message by way of the social media channel in which you posted your act of kindness with a message of YOU WON!

On this the 5th anniversary of the release of my book Style & Simplicity, as well as the 200th ‘Ted’s Tip’ written every Monday on my daily blog post. I love how the two lined right up, falling on the same day! My tip today is super simple. Be kind. Show empathy. Treat people as you would like to be treated. It all comes down to loving one another.

In honor of the day I would love to give away 5 of my books along with some other Watson Kennedy treats. It will be 5 parcels filled with goodness. Leave a comment on what your favorite act of kindness is that you like to share. Next Monday I will combine all the names and draw the 5 winning folks. There is no limit to how many times you can enter. I want to be overwhelmed by the sharing of your acts of kindness. Much, much love to you all, Ted

Be it a big garden full, pots of, or a windowsill brimming, living with herbs can be a very special thing. Not only are they lovely to gaze upon, but also ever so fab to snip and use in your cooking to add a healthy hit of flavor.

The gift of a note or letter is one of the very best things. To make the process easier, put a small stack of cards & envelopes out on your desk at the ready. That way you can reach for one easily and jot off a quick note in a heartbeat. Makes someone’s day!

A frittata can include everything ‘but’ the kitchen sink, as I like to joke. They are the perfect dish to use up bits of leftovers, like potatoes, onions, ham, and small bits of cheese. Savory in every way.

A big cheese platter can be awesome but also overwhelming, both for the host and guests. Try individual platters for your next gathering. Combine cheeses with jams, honey and candied ginger as well as a variety of crackers & bread for a simple and oh so tasty cheese spread.

For a cozy dinner table, use a variety of candle heights to add instant mood. Try tall tapers mixed with lower varieties along with super low tealights. A flicker of light will be wherever your eye lands.

Each word of the book is so lovingly spoken and your voice exudes such warmth and kindness. You are so genuine with your readers. And so interested in teaching them how to love… Love art…. Love nature… Love small things… Love friends… Love family… And love life.

— Haley from New York

Ted’s ‘Style & Simplicity’ is absolutely Lovely (with a capital L)! It’s also charming, fun to read, and full of wonderful advice.

— Newell Turner, Editor in Chief at House Beautiful

Ted Kennedy Watson has a most refined sense of aesthetics…and he shares some of his best secrets, for which I am so grateful!

— Lisa Birnbach, author of The Official Preppy Handbook

Ted, and his namesake fine good emporiums Watson Kennedy are legendary in this town. What he does brilliantly is quality over trend, substance over vapid style.

— Kaye Wellman, author Eat, Shop, Seattle

If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a stylized photo in a magazine this shop is a phenomenal fix for that as the merchandising is crazy delicious to feast your eyes upon.

— Uncle Beefy at thebedlamofbeefy.com

I feel like a kid in a candy shop every time I walk in the door.

— Apartment Therapy

I ordered ‘Style & Simplicity’ and it was delivered to my home in Hermanus, South Africa. What a delightful book and inspiration!

— Marlien on Facebook

The Seattle tastemaker behind Watson Kennedy: a personally curated store with the absolute best gifts, treasures, home goods, and hand-selected music.

— Town & Country

#genius #book @watsonkennedy #brilliant #perfect #gift

— Howard Slatkin on Instagram

Truly a visual feast for the eyes and palate.Thank you for sharing your abundance of “everything good”.We customers are transported to shopping heaven while in your store(s) and website.

— Blog reader Kris

We’ve long been fans of Seattle retailer Ted Kennedy Watson and his first title certainly lives up to it’s stylish name. The lavish A to Z guide is bursting with tips on how to create a cozy, chic and inviting home.